The Land Slide

The steady beat of sneaker hitting sidewalk was the only sound that broke through the crisp, late spring morning. Dew glimmered then flew off low-hanging tree leaves as a runner flew by on the shaded sidewalk.

Her shoulder was soaked and she was tired of bobbing and weaving the uncut shrubbery of neighbor’s yards, so Nicole left the sidewalk at the next small intersection and ran in the silence of the street.

She checked the time on her sports watch. Six forty-five. Perfect. She could be home by seven and out the door 30 minutes after. A short 30 minute drive to work and she could be at the agency by eight. Just in time for last-minute prep before the presentation to the senior EVP.

Nicole crossed over Delancy Street, making her way home. A dog barked nearby. An engine revved. She quickly glanced over her shoulder mid-stride to find a black pickup truck with tinted windows coming her way. In one leap she was back up on the sidewalk. She ducked an oncoming lilac bush.

Nicole glance behind her again to see how long she’d have to wait before returning to the street. Her dark auburn hair whipped her in the face, and as she quickly brushed the lock away to get a better view of the truck, she realized it was closer to her than it should be, and gaining speed. She immediately went into panic mode. Adrenaline opened like a flood gate and her legs responded accordingly. She went from jogging to a full-tilt sprint in an effort to avoid being hit by the clearly oblivious driver.

But the driver wasn’t oblivious. As soon as Nicole sprang into a run, the truck swerved to follow her like a heat-guided missile. The hair on the back of her neck sprang to attention as she realized the driver intended to hit her!

Her mind went blank in fear. With full strides, gulping air like she was drowning, she headed for the Anderson’s front yard, where a two-foot brick wall encircled their house, and prayed she’d have enough strength left to clear the wall…
(Excerpt from a new novel I’m writing. Copyright 2014 1YearOfSingle)